Engine-starter.



G'. L. ROCK.

ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION r1120 MAY 12, 1915.

Patented P60121916.

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G. L. ROCK.

ENGINE smmea.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, I915- ]lfiflfifllfi, Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

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G. L. ROCK.

ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION man MAYiZ, 1915.

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GEORGE L. BOOK, OF ONESVILLE, MICHIGAN.

ENGINE-STARTER.

Application filed. May 12, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. Boon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jonesville, in the county of Hillsdale and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Engine-Starter, of which the follow ing is a specification.

This invention relates to an engine starter and its object to provide a device of this nature in which the starting impulse is obtained from a spring, the latter being automatically maintained under predetermined stress by the engine; to provide means with in reach of the driver for applying stress to the spring either initially or at a later period; and to improve the construction of starters generally.

The nature of the invention will be more fully understood from the following descrip tion and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side view of the front end of a motor vehicle showing the starter in position. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the starter and adjacent parts on an enlarged scale, the chain casing being omitted. Fig. 3 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 2, parts being broken away. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the starter shaft in its forward position. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the spring barrel. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation corresponding to Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of'Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section through the front end of the spring casing showing a modified form of spring.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of my invention shown, 1 indicates channeled side bar and 2 a front cross-bar of a motor vehicle. Mounted on the crossbar by means of a bracket 3, that may be retained in place by the U-bolts 4, is one end 5 of an engine casting, the extreme front portion of which may be flanged at 6 (Fig. 3).

The parts thus far described are well known; and the engine casting is ordinarily held in place on the bracket by a cap, in lieu of which there is provided, in the present construction, a. special cap 8 secured in position by the usual bolts 9.

At 10 is shown the usual engine shaft to which is attached a pulley 11 (that may be used to drive the fan for cooling the engine) Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 191%.

Serial No. 27,478.

having a cross-pin or pins 12. The engine shaft has alined therewith a starting shaft 13, slidable in a bushing 14 carried at the forward end of the engine casting; this shaft has ahollow head 15 guided on the hub 15 of the pulley 11 (or on the front end of the shaft 10), the head being slotted at 16 to fit over the ends of the cross-pin or pins 12 that may project from the pulley hub, and'is normally urged rearwardly by the spring 13 seated against the bushing 14. Rigid with the forward end of the starting shaft is a sprocket wheel 19, the rear face of the hub of which forms a shoulder 20 (Fig. 4), and, forward of the shoulder, the hub is provided with a circumferential spiral. face 21 for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. The forward end of the hub has the usual ratchet teeth 22 in clined in one direction to allow the safe apspring-winding shaft 23 parallel. to the starting shaft by a chain 24 and sarocket wheel. 25 rigid with the winding shaft; and both sprockets and chain may be inclosed by a casing 26 (Fig. 3) having an opening 27 in alinement with the hub of the sprocket wheel. 19, said opening being normally closed by the pivoted closure 28.

Arranged longitudinally beneath the side bar is a hollow casing head 30 that may be extended forwardly at 31 to support the starting shaft 23, a bushing being preferably interposed. The rear end of the casing has rigidly secured thereto by means of a threaded collar 33, or in any other desired manner, a tubular casing 34, the rear end of which may, in. turn, be threaded into a bracket 35 (Fig. 5.) bolted to the side bar.

A stub shaft 36 extends through this bracket and supports the rear end of an inner barrel 38, the latter being rotatable on the shaft; and the bracket has a hub on which is centered the outer barrel 40, that is secured t rotate with the shaft by the cross-pin 41. The forward end of the inner barrel is con neeted to a rearwardly extending hub 42 of an annular gear 43 by a cross-pin 44, a reinforcing bushing 45 being provided for the inner barrel if desired. Surrounding the rear end of the hub 42 so as to be freely rotatable thereon is the forward end of the outer barrel; it will be seen that this barrel is adapted to retain the cross-pin 44 in position. The inner barrel is surrounded by an inner helical spring 46 and the outer barrel is likewise inclosed by the outer helical spring 48, both springs being anchored at their rear ends to the cross-pin 41. At its front end, the inner spring is anchored to the inner barrel by a pin 49, and the front end of the outer springmay be inserted 7 into a hole formed in the web of the annular gear 43. The gear last mentioned is mounted on an eccentric or crank secured to the shaft 23 by a threaded bolt 58, a bushing 5th preferably being interposed between the crank and the gear. The teeth of the gear .43 engage with those on an annular gear that surrounds the first mentioned gear and is housed in the head 50' It will be understood that the number of teeth on the outer gear exceeds that of the inner gear slightly. Assuming that the outer gear is prevented from rotating and that the shaft and crank 52 roll around in the bushing 5st in the direction indicated by the arrowyin Fig. 7, it will be seen that the inner gear will be forced to turn in the opposite direction. as

In other words. these teeth are beveledto' transmit torque from the gear d3 to the shaft 23 in such direction as to allow the springs to unwind (in which action the gear 55 would necessarily travel with the gear 43 and at the same speed) when, however, the shaft 23 is rotated in that direction there is no tendency to unwind the springs since the teeth merely ride out of engagement with each other. In order to insure engagement of the teeth to rotate the shaft 23 from the springs l( f8, the shaft is mounted to slide longitudinally in the bushing 32 and is normally urged rearwardly by a compression spring 60.

The movement of the gear 55 is controlled by the following mechanism :The gear is provided with an annular forwardly extending hub portion 62 having aseries of circumferential slots (33 preferably undercut at one side, as shown at Projecting through a slot-65 formed in the casing in position to be received in any one of the slots 63, is an inclined end 66 (Fig. 6) of a dog 68, the other end of which is bent laterally at 69 and received in a bearing formed in an arm '70." The latter is rigidly secured to a shaft 71 which passes through an car 72 on the cap 8 and has upon its front end an arm 73,

the head 7% ofv which is arranged to bear upon the rear hub of the sprocket wheel 19 behind the spiral face 21 or the shoulder 20, as the case maybe. A spring 75, secured to a lug 76 on the ear 72 and to the dog (38, tends to throw the latter to the left in Fig. 2, and thus to turn the arm 73 clockwise to remove it from engagement with the hub. When this takes place, the spring 18 ohviously throws the starting shaft 13 rearwardly to bring the slotted head 15 into engagement with the pin or pins 12.

The tendency of the dog (38 to rise out of the slots 63 in the gear is offset by a lever 78 which bears upon the upper face of the end 66 and is mounted to swing on a pin carried by a brake lever 80, the latter being rigidly secured to a brake pin 81 that extends longitudinally through the end of the casing head 30. \Vithin the casing, the brake pin is preferably of elliptical crosssection (Fig. 7) and engages with the ends 82 (that may be hardened) of a split expanding brake band 83. The end of the lever TS, opposite to that which bears upon the dog (38, is pivoted at Set to a link 85 that may, in turn, be pivoted. at 86 to a lever 87 fulcrumed in a bearing block 88 positioned between the flanges of the side bar 1. A tension spring 89, anchored to the side bar or other fixed part of the vehicle, serves to normally draw this lever in clockwise direction (Fig. 3) and its effect may be overcome by thrusting forwardly on a foot pedal SH) (Fig. I) mounted on a shaft 91, the pedal being connected to the lever 86 by a link 92.

Operation of parts heretoforedescribed The engine runs in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. Assuming that the springs are wound, their tendency to unwind is checked by the pull of the spring 89 which swings the brake lever counter-clock wise (Fig. 2) and expands the brake band, and also presses the end 66 of the dog (38 into one of the slots 63 in the gear hub 62. The gear 6263 is, therefore, held still. At the same time, the tendency of the hub 62 to turn clockwise (Fig. 7 draws the dog 68 to the left (Fig. 2) against the spring 75 and holds the head 74 of the arm 73 against the shaft 13 back of the shoulder 20 (Fig. l), thus retaining the head 15 out of rotative engagement with the engine shaft. If the operator now desires to start the engine, he presses for 'ardly on the pedal 90 (Fig. 1), overcomes the tension of the spring 89, reduces the pressure of the arm 78 on the end 6 6 of the dog 68, and also lessens the grip of the brake band on the hub 62. The springs 46-1t8 now throw the gears 4.355

around clockwise (Figs. 7 and 8), and,

through the clutch teeth 5659, turn the shaft 23 in the same direction, which causes the chain 24. and sprocket wheel 19 to move as indicated by the arrow (Fig. 1). The re duction in pressure on the dog 68 simultaneously allows the spring 7 5 to withdraw the arm 73 from behind the shoulder, upon which the spring 18 instantly thrusts the head 15 into turning engagement with the pin or pins 12. Thus the tension of the spring throws the engine in a forward direction. As soon as the engine has started the pedal 90 is released. The brake is thereupon expanded, and the end 66 of the dog 68 is pressed down into one of the slots 63. The forward movement of the engine, on account of the inclination of the teeth 5659, Causes the latter to disengage with each otherthrusting the shaft 23 forwardly against the spring 60and, through the rotation of the crank in the gear 413, sets up a tendency in the gear 55 to turn in clockwise direction (Fig. 8). This movement, however, is prevented by the brake and consequently the gear i3 is forced to turn counter-clockwise to twist the forward ends of the springs i6-l8 about the pin d1. lVhen the springs are again tensioned to the maximum, the amount of which depends on the friction of the brake on the hub 62, the latter is caused to turn clockwise, being carried forward at equal speed with the gear 43, and carries the dog 68 to the right (Figs. 2 and 7), in which action the dog is prevented from rising out of the slots 63 by the pressure of the arm 78. The movement of the dog 68 swings the head 71 of the arm 7 3 down on the hub of the sprocket wheel 19 in position to engage the spiral face 21, and the following rotation of the engine shaftdraws the starter shaft forwardly until the head 74 snaps down hehind the shoulder 20, whereby the starter shaft is held out of turning engagement with the engine shaft. It will be seen that when the pedal is pushed forwardly the operation may be said to take place in two steps During the first part of the movement the clutch 15 is released, whereupon it is thrown into engagement with the pins 12 by, the spring 18; further movement releases the brake 83 and allows the spring to crank the engine. The operator may thereafter allow the pedal to return toward initial position either wholly or only enough to set the brake 83, after which the winding continues and is automatically terminated when the predetermined tension is attained. Therefore it is not necessary for the driver to devote his attention. to the rewinding 0f the spring after the engine has been started.

The outer barrel 40 may be omitted in certain cases, two flat concentric helical springs 94: and 95 (Fig. 9) being substituted for the round wire springs first described. The rear ends of these springs may be fixed to the cross-pin 4:1 as before. In order to provide means for manually winding the springs, there is provided on the rear end of the shaft 36 a ratchet wheel 96 (Figs. 1

and 6) that may be held in place by a pin 97.

This wheel is inclosed by the divided hub 98 of a segment 99, the periphery of which may be troughed at 100 to receive a chain 101 that its attached to the segment by the pin 102. A pawl 103, pivoted at 104C to a lug 105 on the bracket 35, and held against the teeth of the wheel by a spring 106, prevents clockwise movement of the shaft 36. The opposite movement is secured by a pawl 108 pivoted to the segment at 109 and held in engagement with the ratchet wheel by the spring 110. The chain may be operated in different ways but it is preferred to connect it to one arm 111 of a hand lever 112 pivoted to the frame at 113 within convenient reach of a driver sitting on the usual seat 11 1. No necessity, therefore exists for the driver to get out of the car in order to crank it by hand as in ordinary constructions.

It is obvious that the details of the device may be widely changed without departing from the spirit of my invention. Consequently, I do not wish to be limited otherwise than as indicated by the subjoined claims.

I claim 1. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine and for thereafter renewing the stress in the spring, said means comprising control means manually movable between an initial position in which the starter is disconnected from the engine and a second position in which the starter is connected to the engine to start the latter, means for renewing the stress in the spring when the engine is running and the control means is in a position other than the second position, and means for automatically disconnecting the starter from the engine when the stress has attained a predetermined amount.

2. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine and for thereafter renewing the stress in the spring, said means comprising control means manually movable between an initial position in which the starter is disconnected from the engine and a second position in which the starter is connected to the engine to start the latter, means tending to return the controlmeans to initial position, means for renewing the stress in the spring when the engine is run ning and the control means is in a position other than the second position, and means for automatically disconnecting the starter from the engine when the stress has attained a predetermined amount.

3. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine and for there- 'moved farther towardthe second position,

means for renewingrthe stress in the spring as the control lever thereafter approaches initial position, and means for disconnect- 111g the starter from the engine when the stress has reached a predetermined amount,

4. A starter forinternal combuston engines, comprising a starter shaft in alinement with and slidable longitudinally in respect to the engine shaft, clutch mechanism forconnecting the engine shaft to the starter shaft when the latter is in one position, a

stressed spring, means whereby the spring may drive the starter shaft at will to start the engine, means whereby the engine may renew the stress in the spring, and means 'for automatically disconnecting the engine fronithe spring when the stress in the latter exceeds a predetermined amount, said last mentioned means comprising a brake operatively connected to the spring, a cam on thestarter shaft, and a member movable into engagement with the cam, whereby the starter shaft is disconnected from the engine shaft, the movement of the member being controlled bythe brake.

5. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a starter shaft in alinement with and slidable longitudinally in re spect to the engine shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting the engine shaft to the starter shaft when the latter is in one position, re silient means tending to force the starter shaft to the position mentioned, a stressed spring, means whereby the spring may drive the starter shaft at will to start the engine, means whereby the engine may renew the stress in the spring, and means for automatically disconnecting the engine from the spring when the stress in the latter exceeds a predetermined amount, saidlast mentioned means'comprising a brake operatively con- 'nected't'o the spring, a cam on the starter shaft, and a member movable into engage ment with the cam surface whereby the starter shaft is moved in opposition to the force for the resilient means and disconnected from the engine shaft, the movement of the member that engages with the cam surfacerbeing controlled by the brake;

6. In combination with a motor vehicle including'an internal combustion engine, a xpalr of side bars and a cross barconnectmg be wound about its 'own axis, said spring being located substantially parallel to and supported by one of the side bars, means for holding the rear end of the spring from turning about its axis, means for normally in a reverse direction for the purpose of rewinding.

7. In combination with a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a pair of side bars and a cross bar connecting the front ends of the side bars, a starting device comprising a helical spring arranged to be wound about its own axis, said spring being located substantially parallel to and supported by one of the side bars, means for holding the rear end of the spring from turning about its axis, means for normally holding the front end of the spring against turning about its axis, means whereby the front end of the spring may be released for unwinding movement, means whereby the unwinding movement is utilized to start the engine, and manually operable means whercby the rear end of the spring may be turned about its axis to impart an initial stress.

'8. In combination with a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a seat, a pair of side bars and a cross bar connecting the front ends of the side bars, a. starting device comprising a helical spring arranged to be wound about its own axis, said spring being located substantially parallel to and supported by one of the side bars, means for holding the rear end of the spring from turning about its axis, means for normally holding the front end of the spring against turning about its axis, means whereby the front end of the spring may be released for unwinding movement, means whereby the unwinding movement is utilized to start the engine, and manually operable means whereby the rear end of the spring may be turned about its axis to im- 1 r on the seat.

'9. A starter for internal comlmstion engin-es comprising a starter shaft, resilient .means tending to hold the starter shaft in position to rotate or be rotated by the engine shaft, means for storing energy as the starter shaft is rotated by the engine shaft, means whereby the energy mav be utilized to turn the starter shaft and start the engine, means for limiting the storage of energy, said means comprising a cam on the starter shaft, and a movable element, re-

, sponsive to an excess of energv in the storage means, for engaging with the cam, whereby the starter shaft is automatically discrmuected from the engine shaft.

10, it. sta for internal combustion engines comprising a starter shaft, resilient means tending to hold the starter shaft in. osition to 1 tate or be rotated by the engine shaft, means for storing energy as the i rotated by the engine shaft, means whe. y the energy may be utilized to turn the starter shaft and start the gine, means for limiting the storage of energy, said means comprising a cam on the shaft, and a movable element, sponsive to an excess of energy in the s-itorage means, for engaging with the cam, whereby the starter shaft is automate cally disconnected from the engine shaft, and resilient means tending to hold the movable element out of engagement with the cam.

11. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a starter shaft alined with and slidable in respect to the engine shaft, resilient means tending to hold the starter shaft in position to rotate or be rotated by the engine shaft, means for storing energy as the starter shaft is rotated by the engine shaft, means whereby the energy may be utilized to turn the starter shaft and start the engine, means for limiting the storage of energy, said means comprising a cam on the starter shaft, and a movable element, responsive to an excess of energy in the storage means, for engaging with the cam, whereby the starter shaft is automatically disconnected from the engine shaft.

12. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a starter shaft alined with and slidable in respect to the engine shaft, resilient means tending to hold the starter shaft in position to rotate or be rotated by the engine shaft, means for storing energy as the starter shaft is rotated by the engine shaft, means whereby the energy may be utilized to turn the starter shaft and start the engine, means for limiting the storage of energy, said means comprising a cam and a shoulder on the starter shaft, and a movable element, responsive to an excess of energy in the storage means, for engaging with the cam, whereby the starter shaft is automatically disconnected from the engine shaft, said movable element engaging with the shoulder, at the end of the movement of the starter shaft, for retaining the latter out of engagement with the engine shaft.

13. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, said spring including two concentric flat helical bands, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causing the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein, and means for automatically disconnecting the engine from the spring when the stress in the latter exceeds a predetermined amount.

let. A starter for internal combustion e11 gines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, said spring including two concentric flat helical bands, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, and means for automatically causing the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein.

15. A. starterfor internal combustion engines comprising a helical spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own ,axis, .i'ueans for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causing the engine to wind the spring to remsw the stress therein, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an. annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, and to which one end of the spring is secured, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, and means for normally preventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the opposite direction to wind the spring.

l6. A starter for internal combustion ongincs comprising a helical spring arranged to be stress by b about its own i ll pine to wind the spring to impart s thereto, said means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns and to which one end of the spring is secured, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, and means for normally 'n'eventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the opposite direction to wind the spring, clutch mechanism on the shaft arranged to engage clutch mechanism on the externally toothed gear when the internally toothed gear is allowed to turn, whereby both. the shaft and. the engine are driven from the spring to startthe latter.

1?. A. starter for internal combustion engines comprising a helical spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causing the engine to win d the spring to renewvthe stress therein, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, and to which one end of the spring secured, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, and a brake for normally preventi 1g the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the opposite direction to wind the spring.

18. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a helical spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causin the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, and to which one end of the spring is secured, an internally toothed gear surrouding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, a brake for normally preventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the oppositedirection to wind the spring, and resilient means for holding the brake in engagement with the internally toothed gear.

19. A starter for internal combustion enginescomprising a helical spring arranged to be stressed "by being wound about its own axis, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causing the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, and to which one end of the spring is secured, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, a brake for nor mally preventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed'gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the opposite direction to wind the spring, resilient means for bold ing the brake in engagement with the internally toothed gear, and a lever for overcoming the force of the last mentioned resilient means whereby the gear is released from the brake.

20. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a stressed spring, means for utilizing the stress of the spring to start the engine, means for causing the engine to renew the stress in the spring, a friction brake on which the increasing stress of the spring is exerted, means controlled by the brake for disconnecting the engine from the spring when the stress in the latter exceeds a predetermined amount and means for normally causing the brake to prevent the spring from starting the engine.

21. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, said spring including two concentric helical bands, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, and means for automatically causing the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein.

22. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to he stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring to start the engine, means for causing the engine to renew the stress in the spring, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, and by which turning moment is transmitted to the spring, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, and means for normally preventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the opposite direction to stress the spring.

23. A starter for internal combustion en gines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, means for utilizingthe stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causing the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, and by which turning moment is transmitted to the sprin an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, and means for normally preventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the opposite direction to wind the spring.

24. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis. means for causing the engine to wind the spring to impart stress thereto, said means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an

annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns and by which turning mo ment is transmitted to the spring, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, and means for normally preventing the internally toothed gear from turning, whereby the. externally toothed gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed and in the oppo site direction to wind the spring, elutch mechanism on the shaft arranged to engage clutch mechanism on the externally toothed gear when the internally toothed gear is allowed to turn, whereby both the shaft and the engine are driven from the spring to start the latter.

25. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to he wound about an axis, means for utilizing the shess of the spring to start the engine. means for causing the engine to re-wind the spring to renew the stress therein, a friction brake on which the increasing stress of the spring is exerted, means controlled by the brake for disconnecting the engine from the spring when the stress in the latter eX- ceeds a predetermined amount and means for normally causing the brake to prevent the spring from starting the engine.

26. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed by being wound about its own axis, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine, means for causing the engine to wind the spring to renew the stress therein, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an annular externally toothed gear in which the crank turns, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, means for normally preventing one of the gears from turning, the other' gear being arranged to transmit turning movement to the spring, whereby the last mentioned gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed to wind the spring.

27. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring to start the engine, means for causing the engine to renew the stress in the spring, said last mentioned means including a shaft, a crank on the shaft, an internally toothed gear surrounding and in mesh with the externally toothed gear, means for normally preventing one of the gears from turning, the other gear being arranged to transmit turning movement to the spring, whereby the last mentioned gear is driven from the shaft at a reduced speed to wind the spring.

28. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine and for thereafter renewing the stress in the spring, said means comprising control means movable between an initial position in which the starter is operatively disconnected from the engine and a second position in which the starter is actively connected to the engine to start the latter, means for renewing the stress in the spring when the engine is running and the control means is in a position other than the second position, and means for thereafter automatically disconnecting the starter from the engine.

29. A. starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engineand for thereafter renewing the stress in the spring, said means comprising control means manually movable between an initial position in which the starter is disconnected from the engine and a second position in which the starter is connected to the engine to start the latter, means tending to return the control means to initial position, means for renewing the stress in the spring when the engine is running and the control means is in a position other than the second position, and means for thereafter automatically dis connecting the starter from the engine.

80. A. starter for internal combustion engines comprising a spring arranged to be stressed, means for utilizing the stress of the spring for starting the engine and for thereafter renewing the stress in the spring, said means comprising a control lever manually movable from an initial to a second position, means tending to return the lever to the initial position, means controlled by the lever for connecting the starter to the engine when the control lever is in a position intermediate between the positions named, means also controlled by the lever for allowing the spring to start the engine when the lever is moved farther toward the second position, means for renewing the stress in the spring as the control lever thereafter approaches initial position, and means for thereafter disconnecting the starter from the engine.

31. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a stressed spring, means for utilizing the stress of the spring to start the engine, means for causing the engine to renew the stress in the spring, a friction brake on which the increasing stress of the spring is exerted, means controlled by the brake for disconnecting the engine from the spring, and means for normally causing the brake to prevent the spring from starting the engine.

32. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising in combination with an engine shaft, a second shaft alined therewith, a spring for actuating the latter, said spring having its axis substantially parallel to but removed from that of the engine shaft, a reversible connection between the two shafts whereby the second shaft first acts to operate the engine shaft after which the latter rewinds the spring, and mechanism for automatically disconnecting the two shafts after the spring has been rewound, the action of the spring performing the initial step in the disconnecting operation.

lin testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE 1L. noon.

Witnesses:

L. M. SrENonR, Hneo W. KREINBRING.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. U. 

